The deadline for the Natura 2000 Award has been extended for two weeks. "Get your applications in now!

The European Commission's Natura 2000 Award, which honours leading nature conservation achievements, remains open for applications. The call for applications will now close on 15 December 2015. Three weeks to go until time runs out…

Winning a Natura 2000 Award is an excellent opportunity to raise awareness about local work on Natura 2000. All shortlisted applicants will be invited to the Award ceremony in Brussels where the Commissioner for Environment, Maritime Affairs and Fisheries, Karmenu Vella will present the winners with their prizes. Winners will also receive support in organising an event in their Member State.

Previous winners have appreciated the benefits of promoting their activities both on the European level and nationally. Increasing their profile with politicians, stakeholders and others working on Natura 2000 sites has been a significant help to them in reaching their aims.

The annual award is open to any entity involved in activities related to Natura 2000. Local and national authorities, businesses, land owners, NGOs, educational institutions and individuals from all 28 EU Member States are all eligible to apply for the five award categories.

The Natura 2000 Award is dedicated to rewarding excellence in the management and promotion of the network and its objectives and to raising awareness about Natura 2000 and its benefits to European citizens.

To this end, in addition to the five category prizes, an "EU Citizen's Award" will be introduced this year, with the public being encouraged to vote for their favourite application.

The winners will be announced at a high level ceremony in Brussels on Natura 2000 Day – 21st of May 2016.

For more information on how to apply, please see the website here.

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